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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Inquisicioun(e, -ione, Inquisitio(u)n(e, n. Also: -qwisicion, -quisis(s)ione, -quisityown, -quicitioun, -cisioun, -quesycioun. [ME. inquisicioun (Wycl.), -sicion, etc., e.m.E. -quisition (1568), L. inquīsītio.] A formal inquiry or investigation, esp. one of a legal character.Also, inquiry, generally.(a) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2891.
So increly He maid at hire inquisicioun That ... Sche told [etc.] 14.. Acts I. 328/2.
Gif ony wylde best be fundyn dede or wondyt, and the trespassour be nocht fundyn at the next mut, thar aw to be inquisicioun made 1464 Rep. Southesk MSS. 8.
This inquisicione of knavlage … be thir personeis vndervryttyn 1466 Peebles B. Rec. I. 155.
The inquest fand that the lard of Henrystoun swld get a letter of the byschopis of an inquesycioun of the schapell 1473 Acta Aud. 26/2.
The inquisicioune that was ordanit to be takin, was stoppit and cessit be the kingis lettres 1500 Dunferm. B. Rec. 114.
The sade Thomas denyit alluterly, and askit ane generall inquisicione of his nychtbouris tharof(b) c1420 Wynt. vii. 3514.
The declaratyown Off the inquisityown Off the feftment off that thyng 1448 Reg. Episc. Brechin I. 114.
Gif it beis fundyne be ane guyd and leile inquisitioune 1496 Acts II. 238/2.
[To] mak diligent inquisitioun of the price of vittalis 1515 Reg. Privy S. I. 408/2.
To tak inquisitioun quhat landis, croftis [etc.] the said William had umquhile in fe 1550 Peebles B. Rec. 203.
It is deliuerit be ane gret inquisitioun chosine and sworne before the saidis baillies 1572 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 252.
That all superintendants … tak diligent inquisitioun of the lyfe of all ministaris, exhortaris, and reidaris 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 33 a.
Gif they slay any man, inquisition salbe taken, gif that be done be fenȝeid furie, or not 1632 Acts V. 243/1.
These that ar sworne vpon assysis, attantis, recognitiouns or inquisitiouns 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii. xviii. § 1.
They define inquisition to be an information of the crime, taken by the judges own authority